Court Sitting Hours

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are still in favour of special courts being open late at night in order to deal expeditiously with alleged drunkenness and violence.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The Government still plan pilot studies for extending court sitting hours and to evaluate whether they represent value for money. In particular, attention will be on the effect extended hours will have on delays, deterring local criminals, improving access to justice and helping reassure local communities. Planning is underway involving all criminal justice partners in London and Manchester. Details for the Manchester scheme were announced in a press notice issued on 11 January 2002 and it is expected that particulars of the London scheme will be released soon. Both are currently planned to start in the spring. It has always been the intention to exclude defendants who are incapable from alcohol or drugs from the pilots.

Government Bills: Human Rights Issues

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 18 December (WA 43), whether the Explanatory Notes of all government Bills will contain the Government's reasons for considering whether their Bills are or are not compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Notes on government Bills will describe, in general terms, the most significant convention issues thought to arise from the provisions, together with the Minister's conclusions on compatibility.

Climate Change Levy

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much revenue was received by the Treasury as a result of the climate change levy, and how much was returned to industry by way of rebate, in the fiscal year ended 5 April 2001; and how much is projected to be received and rebated in the fiscal year to 5 April 2002.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The climate change levy was introduced in April 2001. There were no revenues in the fiscal year ended 5 April 2001. It was projected, at the time of the Pre-Budget Report November 2001, that £0.6 billion would be received in the fiscal year to 5 April 2002. The Government also announced that all revenues would be recycled back to business through a 0.3 percentage point cut in employers' national insurance contributions and additional support for energy-efficiency measures and energy-saving technologies. For the fiscal year to 5 April 2002 the Government expect to recycle around £1 billion back to business in this way.

Zimbabwe

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the first Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 8 January about the presidential election in Zimbabwe (WA 97), what they consider to be "the entire electoral process".

Baroness Amos: Ideally, independent observers should be present for as much as possible of the campaign prior to the election, as well as for the voting and counting afterwards.
	The European Union has called for accreditation of election observers six weeks prior to the election.

Zimbabwe

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will announce the benchmark which they intend to use to monitor and evaluate the forthcoming presidential election in Zimbabwe.

Baroness Amos: We are discussing with our European Union partners and others the norms and standards we will use to judge the outcome of the forthcoming presidential election in Zimbabwe. We want the EU to publish these well in advance of the election.

Zimbabwe

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What might be the timetable for the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth.

Baroness Amos: Zimbabwe was formally added to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) agenda on 20 December 2001. It will be discussed again at the next CMAG meeting on 30 January. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary set out the Government's position in the House of Commons on 8 January (Official Report, col. 400–03). A decision on suspension is a matter for the Commonwealth as a whole. Commonwealth Heads of Government will be meeting in early March.

Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997: Central Register

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On which date they expect the central register of persons, who have applied for a shot gun or firearm certificate or to whom a firearm or shot gun certificate has been granted, to go live on the police national computer as required under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997; and
	Whether they are liable to legal action for their failure to create a central register of firearm and shot gun certificate holders as required by Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment ) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997; and, if not, for how long it is possible to delay compliance with this legislative requirement.

Lord Rooker: Section 39 does not specify when the requirement for a central register must be met but we are fully committed to its development.
	The time-scale for delivery has been affected by the need to complete the national DNA database and to upgrade the police national computer (PNC) software infrastructure in order to maintain continuity of service to police forces. The combined effect of these two factors is that it will not be possible to begin rolling out the register until September this year, with progressive data migration and all work planned for completion in November 2002. Design and development has now started and is due for completion in May 2002. System testing will be conducted in June to September.

Police: Baton Guns

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements have been made for the issue of less-than-lethal ammunition to the police service in England and Wales; and what is the availability of such ammunition at present.

Lord Rooker: The only less lethal option which requires ammunition is the baton gun. Currently 36 police forces in England and Wales have a baton gun capability and a further three non-Home Department forces are similarly equipped. This figure will increase to 45 forces by April 2002 when the manufacturer has supplied further baton guns.

Tobacco Advertising

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the consultation by the Department of Health in 2001 on the European Commission's proposal for a directive to harmonise European Union laws on tobacco advertising:
	(a) how many organisations or individuals responded to this consultation;
	(b) what was the balance of opinions in responses on the merit of the Commission's proposal; and
	(c) when the Department of Health will publish a report on the outcome of this consultation.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There were 54 responses to consultation. Of these 32 supported the proposed directive, eight opposed it and the remaining 14 either expressed no firm view or commented only on matters of detail. Most of those respondents supporting the proposed directive stated that there should be a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship.
	A summary of the responses has been placed on the Department of Health's website at www.doh.gov.uk/adtobaccoconsresponse.htm

A400M Military Transport Aircraft

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in securing the fulfilment of commitments to the European countries with regard to the development of the A400M military transport aeroplane.

Lord Bach: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 8 January, (Official Report, col. WA 100–01).

Defence Estate: Stewardship Report

Baroness David: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the first stewardship report promised in the Ministry of Defence's policy document In Trust and On Trust: The Strategy for the Defence Estate.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence will publish its first stewardship report on the Defence Estate on Tuesday 22 January. This fulfils the commitment made when In Trust and On Trust: The Strategy for the Defence Estate was launched in June 2000.
	In Trust and On Trust set out clearly the MoD's policies and priorities as well as performance targets against which the effectiveness of our stewardship of the estate could be judged. It also contained a pledge to report annually against the strategy's goals.
	The stewardship report which we are now publishing contains comprehensive information on the estate, covering both rural and built environments, and sustainability. This is the first time that the MoD has published such a comprehensive report on its estate. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and also on the MoD website at www.mod.uk.

Millennium Dome

Viscount Astor: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what basis they regard the pre-sale valuation of the Millennium Dome and the government appraisal to be commercially confidential; and
	Whether they will publish the terms of the contract with English Partnerships and Meridian Delta Ltd relating to the Millennium Dome when it has been signed.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In order to protect the parties' commercial interests, it is normal commercial practice not to reveal the details of contractual agreements such as that being entered into between English Partnerships (EP) and Meridian Delta Ltd (MDL). Revealing such details may compromise the Government's ability to achieve value for money, since the joint venture between EP and MDL will be negotiating third parties over the subsequent development of the land. This is true also of the pre-valuation and other appraisals of the value of the Dome site.
	We will review this position once contracts have been exchanged with MDL, and will make public as much information as is possible within these constraints.
	The National Audit Office is scrutinising the entire sale process, including valuations and value for money assessments, and will report to Parliament in due course. We have kept the NAO informed throughout, and will continue to do so.

Mayoral Referendums

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the mayoral referendums that have taken place so far with the votes cast for and against; and what are the dates that have been set for further mayoral referendums.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The table below sets out details of the mayoral referendums that have already taken place, together with information currently available on the referendums known to be taking place in the coming months. There are a small number of other local authorities where a decision has yet to be taken on whether or not a mayoral referendum should be held.
	
		Mayoral Referendums
		
			 Date Council Proposals Result Fall-back 
			 7 June (Normal poll—Combined)  (by Petition) Berwick-upon-Tweed Mayor & Cabinet Yes 3,617 (26%) No 10,212 (74%) Turnout 64% Alternative  Arrangements 
			 28 June (All Postal) Cheltenham Mayor & Cabinet Yes 8,083 (33%) No 16,602 (67%) Turnout 32% Leader & Cabinet 
			 28 June (All Postal) Gloucester Mayor & Cabinet Yes 7,731 (32%) No 16,317 (68%) Turnout 31% Leader & Cabinet 
			 12 July (All Postal) Watford Mayor & Cabinet Yes 7,636 (52%) No 7,140 (48%) Turnout 25% N/A 
			 20 September (All Postal) Doncaster Mayor & Cabinet Yes 35,453 (65%) No 19,398 (35%) Turnout 25% N/A 
			 4 October (Normal) Kirklees Mayor & Cabinet Yes 10,169 (27%) No 27,977 (73%) Turnout 13% Leader & Cabinet 
			 11 October (Normal) Sunderland Mayor & Cabinet Yes 9,375 (43%) No 12,209 (57%) Turnout 10% Leader & Cabinet 
			 18 October (All Postal) Brighton & Hove Mayor & Cabinet Yes 22,724 (38%) No 37,214 (62%) Turnout 32% Alternative  Arrangements 
			 18 October (All Postal) Hartlepool Mayor & Cabinet Yes 10,667 (51%) No 10,294 (49%) Turnout 34% N/A 
			 18 October (All Postal) Lewisham Mayor & Cabinet Yes 16,822 (51%) No 15,914 (49%) Turnout 18% N/A 
			 18 October (All Postal) Middlesbrough Mayor & Cabinet Yes 29,067 (84%) No 5,422 (16%) Turnout (34%) N/A 
			 18 October (All Postal) North Tyneside Mayor & Cabinet Yes 30,262 (58%) No 22,296 (42%) Turnout 36% N/A 
			 18 October (All Postal) Sedgefield Mayor & Cabinet Yes 10,628 (47%) No 11,869 (53%) Turnout 33% Leader & Cabinet 
			 8 November (All Postal) Redditch Mayor & Cabinet Yes 7,250 (44%) No 9,198 (56%) Turnout 28% Leader & Cabinet 
			 20 November (All Postal) Durham (City) Mayor & Cabinet Yes 8,327 (41%) No 11,974 (59%) Turnout 29% Leader & Cabinet 
			 6 December (All Postal) Harrow Mayor & Cabinet Yes 17,502 (43%) No 23,554 (57%) Turnout 26% Leader & Cabinet 
			 24 January 2002 (All Postal) Plymouth Mayor & Cabinet  Leader & Cabinet 
			 24 January 2002 (All Postal) Harlow Mayor & Cabinet  Alternative  Arrangements 
			 31 January 2002 (All Postal) Newham Mayor & Cabinet  Leader & Cabinet 
			 31 January 2002 (Normal poll)  (by Direction) Southwark Mayor & Cabinet  Leader & Cabinet 
			 31 January 2002 (All Postal) West Devon Mayor & Cabinet  Alternative  Arrangements 
			 31 January 2002 (All Postal) Shepway Mayor & Cabinet  Leader & Cabinet 
			 21 February 2002 (Normal poll)  (by Petition) Bedford Mayor & Cabinet  Alternative  Arrangements 
			 2 May 2002 (Normal poll—Combined)  (by Petition) Newcastle-under-Lyme* Mayor & Cabinet  (Not yet advised) 
			 (by mid June 2002) (by Petition) Stoke on Trent* Mayor & Council  Manager  (Not yet advised) 
			 (by mid June 2002) (by Petition) Mansfield* Mayor & Cabinet  (Not yet advised) 
		
	
	As at: 17 January 2002.
	*= These three councils have sent statutory notice to the Secretary of State that a valid petition has been received and that the council will consequently be holding a referendum within six months of the petition date. Formal proposals to be received from these authorities will provide details of referendum dates (if not yet determined) and fall-back proposals.

Car Occupant Fatalities

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many (a) car drivers; (b) passengers in front seats of cars; and (c) passengers in rear seats of cars have been killed in accidents during the last five years for which records are available; and how many and what percentage of each were wearing seat belts at the time.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The numbers of car occupants killed are shown below:
	Car 1 occupant fatalities in Great Britain
	
		
			  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
			 Drivers 1,139 1,162 1,128 1,071 1,076 
			 Front Seat  Passenger 398 381 340 357 369 
			 Rear Seat  Passenger 250 225 209 233 194 
		
	
	(1) Excludes vehicles acting as hackney carriages.
	It is not known what percentage of these were wearing seat belts at the time.

Car Occupants: Seat Belts

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of (a) car drivers; (b) passengers in the front seats; and (c) passengers in the rear seats of cars they estimate now wear seat belts.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The last survey of seat belt wearing rates was carried out during October 2001. The results show that 90 per cent of car drivers and 92 per cent of passengers in the front seats now wear seat belts. In the rear seats of cars, 56 per cent of adults (14 years of age plus) and 90 per cent of children now wear seat belts.

Objective 1 Funding: Merseyside

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When Objective 1 funding ends in Merseyside; and what similar funding, if any, will follow.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The current Objective 1 programme in Merseyside will finish on 31 December 2006, although beneficiaries will have a further two years to spend the funds.
	The UK has called for a fundamental review of what the funds are seeking to achieve, how effective they have been and what sort of interventions would best serve an enlarged EU, respecting the principle of subsidiarity. Formal Commission proposals for the future of the funds are expected in 2004 and the UK and other member states will be making input to the development of these proposals in the intervening period. It is therefore too early to say what funding might follow Objective 1 in Merseyside.

Single People: Accommodation

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What help is being given to housing associations which will specifically cater for the single person.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Information is not available in the form requested, but three grant regimes provide accommodation for single people.
	The Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP) is the major source of housing associations' funding. We are increasing investment in affordable housing, both for rent and sale, through the ADP to over £1.2 billion by 2003–04.
	The Rough Sleepers Unit's capital budget of £71 million over three years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 provides accommodation for rough sleepers, via capital grants administered by the Housing Corporation and paid to housing associations. Revenue grants from the Rough Sleepers Unit are paid to housing associations, a wide range of voluntary organisations, and local authorities.
	A total funding of £137 million (£120 million capital and £17 million revenue) is being made available over three years 2001–02 to 2003–04 through the Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund, paid to housing associations and administered by the Housing Corporation. The overall aim of the fund is to prevent crime by funding appropriate supported housing for those groups most at risk including ex-offenders, young people at risk, people with drug and alcohol problems and people fleeing domestic violence.

Affordable Housing in Rural Settlements

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Ms Keeble on 10 January (HC Deb, 976W), what factors have affected the number of affordable houses in rural settlements in England with a population of 3,000 or less, completed and funded by the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and local authority Social Housing Grant, where numbers have fallen from 2,020 in 1997 to 463 in 2001–02.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: 463 affordable homes in rural settlements in England with a population of 3,000 or less were completed and funded by the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and local authority Social Housing Grant during the eight-month period 1 April 2001 to 30 November 2001.
	The Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme rural settlement target is to approve, 1,100 units between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002. This will be supplemented with housing provided through local authority funding. In addition, we are encouraging local authorities to make effective use of the planning system.